Day 6- Adios Honolulu, Hello North Shore!

Today, Monday, we got up and checked out of our hotel. We spent a little more time walking around the area and then went on to Pearl Harbor. We had tried to visit Pearl Harbor earlier in our vacation, but being that we were visiting around the July 4th holiday, it had been packed. We were lucky to find after arriving that there was no wait!

After a short documentary about December 7th, 1941, we calmly and quietly proceeded to a small boat, operated by the US Navy to ride out and visit the USS Arizona Memorial.
Pearl Harbor holds a very near and dear place in my heart and always will. You see on this day, when Japan dropped its surpise attack, my grandfather, Burdell Cobb, was stationed in Hawaii, on Ford Island. He retells and remembers the attack from time to time. Such humility, such innocence in these young men, such an unexpected attack. On this day, many ships in the US Navy's fleet were attacked, but the USS Arizona went down quickly, with over 1200 men losing their lives for our freedom.
I have visited the USS Arizona Memorial before, and each time, I think that it takes on new meaning. Maybe it is my age and getting more emotional about what our military men and women do for us, maybe it is the fact that my gramps was there on that day, maybe it's for some other reason, but it was moving to say the least. This is the tomb for all of those that lost their lives on this day, sons, brothers, fathers, etc., and to that I am greatful.

After leaving Pearl Harbor, we ventured out on our way to the North Shore and Turtle Bay Resort! We had planned 5 nights in Honolulu and 3 nights on the more secluded North Shore! We were ready for more fun and a little more rest and relaxation!After about an hour's drive through beautiful scenery, we arrived at Turtle Bay Resort! It was so beautiful! After a quick look around, we left on our way to the Polynesian Cultural Center, which was only a few miles away. The Poly is almost like Hawaii's version of a themepark, without the rides but with all of the culture of the islands that came together to form Hawaii. The weather was perfect, and my back was holding up! We were having an amazing day exploring. What could be better?!That evening, we dined or were invited to dine on traditional Hawaiian dishes at a luau, which was part of our package at the Poly. There was poi, fish, rice, tarrot rolls, and some other interesting choices. I think I feasted on pineapple and roasted chicken. Brandon found a few more things that he enjoyed. It was definitely an experience, and we loved it. After the luau, we enjoyed a wonderful show including: fire dancers, hula girls, and much much more! The Polynesian Cultural Center was definitely a blast:)!